'''Araphor''' ([[Third Age|T.A.]] 1391 - 1589, died aged 198) was the ninth King of [[Arthedain]], succeeding his father, [[Arveleg I]], upon his death in 1409. He was not yet fully-grown - only eighteen years old - when he succeeded the throne, and this was due to his father being killed in a battle by evil men from [[Rhudaur]] in the service of [[Angmar]].

+

'''Araphor''' ({{TA|1391}}<ref>{{PM|Elendil}}, p. 194</ref> - {{TA|1589|n}},<ref name="North">{{App|North}}</ref> died aged 198) was the ninth king of [[Arthedain]], succeeding his father, [[Arveleg I]], upon his death in 1409.

−

Araphor avenged his father and managed to drive back the assault from [[Fornost]] and the [[North Downs]] with the help of [[Círdan]] of [[Lindon]]. [[Dúnedain]] refugees from [[Cardolan]] and [[Rhudaur]] held out in the [[Barrow-downs]], or in the [[Old Forest]] behind.

+

==History==

+

Araphor was only eighteen years old when he came to the throne of Arthedain because his father was killed in battle in the defence of [[Weathertop|Amon Sûl]]. Although young, Araphor was valiant and he avenged his father by repelling the enemy from [[Fornost]] and the [[North Downs]] with the aid of [[Círdan]] of [[Lindon]]. The remnant faithful of the [[Dúnedain]] in [[Cardolan]] also helped repel the enemy from the [[Barrow-downs|Tyrn Gorthad]], or took refuge in the [[Old Forest|forest]] behind.

−

During these wars many [[Stoors]] ([[Hobbits]]) fled from [[Eriador]] and returned to [[Wilderland]], and became the river people of [[Sméagol]] and [[Déagol]]. During Araphor's long rule, there were many problems in the [[Gondor|Southern Kingdom]] too with the [[Kin-strife]], the burning of [[Osgiliath]] (and the loss of its [[palantir]]), and wars with the people of [[Harad]] and [[Umbar]].

+

It was during the wars with Angmar, and the reign of Araphor, that the [[Stoors]] living in the [[Angle of Eriador|Angle]] (between the rivers [[Hoarwell]] and [[Loudwater]]) continued to move west and south away from Rhudaur out of dread. Some of the Stoors went back over the [[Misty Mountains]] to dwell beside the [[Gladden River|Gladden]] become the fisherfolk from which [[Sméagol]] and [[Déagol]] descended.<ref>{{App|Eriador}}</ref>

−

Araphor ruled for 180 years - the second-longest ruler of the Northern Line (after [[Valandil]]) - and was succeeded by his son, [[Argeleb II]], upon his death in 1589.

+

Also during Araphor's rule, there were many problems in [[Gondor]] including the [[Kin-strife]], the burning of [[Osgiliath]] (and the loss of its [[palantír]]), and wars with the people of [[Harad]] and [[Umbar]].<ref>{{App|Gondor}}</ref>

+

+

Araphor ruled for 180 years - the second-longest ruler of the Northern Line (after [[Valandil (King of Arnor)|Valandil]]) - and was succeeded by his son, [[Argeleb II]], upon his death in {{TA|1589|n}}.<ref name="North"/>

+

+

==Etymology==

+

Araphor's name is [[Sindarin]] for "Royal Fist" from ''[[ar]]'' meaning "royal", and ''paur'' meaning "fist" (compare with [[Celebrimbor#Etymology|Celebrimbor]]). This could be a reference to Araphor's valiance.

History

Araphor was only eighteen years old when he came to the throne of Arthedain because his father was killed in battle in the defence of Amon Sûl. Although young, Araphor was valiant and he avenged his father by repelling the enemy from Fornost and the North Downs with the aid of Círdan of Lindon. The remnant faithful of the Dúnedain in Cardolan also helped repel the enemy from the Tyrn Gorthad, or took refuge in the forest behind.

It was during the wars with Angmar, and the reign of Araphor, that the Stoors living in the Angle (between the rivers Hoarwell and Loudwater) continued to move west and south away from Rhudaur out of dread. Some of the Stoors went back over the Misty Mountains to dwell beside the Gladden become the fisherfolk from which Sméagol and Déagol descended.[3]